Red Cross Society

William D. McCrackan

Every human contrivance for betterment is susceptible of abuse unless divinely guided. Even the humanitarian institutions wherein brotherly love seeks an outlet need careful watching lest wolves in sheep's clothing creep into the fold and slaughter the lambs of innocent desire. The ideal for which each righteous institution stands must be protected against deliberate perversion, against exploitation at the hands of the unscrupulous, and against those gusts of sympathetic mesmerism which mental manipulators try to create for their own advantage.

The work of the Red Cross Society is exposed to crosscurrents of this kind. It is the outcome of a noble idea, it is instinct with divine compassion. The mention of it at once opens hearts and purses. Material religion and material medicine might in some instances like to divide among themselves the spoils of this popularity. But their efforts in this direction, if successful, might eventually slay the right idea of true benevolence underlying the Red Cross.

Miss Clara Barton was the founder of the Red Cross Society in the United States, and she linked this society to the International Committee in Geneva, Switzerland. The symbol of the Red Cross is the reverse of the Swiss flag, which consists of a white cross on a red ground. That Miss Barton's sense of religion and medicine was even then materialized seems improbable, judging from a glowing tribute which she gave to Mrs. Eddy and the teachings of Christian Science.

In an interview printed in the New York American of Jan. 6, 1908, Miss Barton said: "While I have not studied deeply enough the great religion founded by Mrs. Eddy to consider myself a Christian Scientist, I can say that I look upon Christian Science, as I understand it, as the most ideally beautiful yet the most practical and comforting of beliefs. It is doing more in the world today, and will continue to as more people become cognizant of the beauty of its teachings, than any other one influence for good. Mrs. Eddy should have the respect, admiration, and love of the whole Nation, for she is its greatest woman." It is interesting to know that Miss Barton later became more and more interested in Christian Science, so that this founder of the Red Cross Society found herself growing into a full agreement with the teaching and practice of Christian Science.

In acknowledgment of Miss Barton's glowing tribute Mrs. Eddy replied in words which may be found on pages 296 and 297 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany." There she said in part: "Now if Miss Barton were not a venerable soldier, patriot, philanthropist, moralist, and stateswoman, I should shrink from such salient praise. But in consideration of all that Miss Barton really is, and knowing that she can bear the blows which may follow said description of her soul-visit, I will say, Amen, so be it."

Christian Scientists have a duty toward the Red Cross Society. It is in danger of being swept into the orbit of reactionary interests, or of being monopolized by would-be powers that cannot progress in the Science of healing the sick and the sinner because they are dragging false material beliefs at their heels. Christian Scientists are working out the benevolent ideal for which the Red Cross really stands, an ideal which should ever be at work, in times of peace as well as in times of war. They are humanitarians, possessing the precious pearl of spiritual understanding which is an ever present help. The world needs their compassion and joy. It is crying out for the liberty which they can make available to the distressed by realizing the unreality of all evil. Let them help to keep this human ideal of benevolence under divine control, let them see Spirit coming to the flesh and healing it, let their thought illumine with the radiance of imperishable joy every sick-bed whether under cover of a tent or a roof, let them render again unto mankind the activity of a living faith which reveals God at hand, in peace and war, and man benevolently replacing the cross with the crown.

William D. McCrackan.

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Editorial

July 28, 1917

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